The Board of Governors today awarded the Krieger Klein Endowed Chair in Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurodegeneration Research to Luciano D’Adamio, a professor of pharmacology, physiology, neuroscience and neurology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

Internationally recognized as a leader in the field of Alzheimer’s disease research, D’Adamio, who has been involved in this research for the past two decades, is recognized for identifying key molecular mechanisms of age-related neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. He will lead the newly formed Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, which will bring together current faculty and new recruits to focus on basic and translational research.

“We thank the Klein family for supporting this endowment, which will stimulate growth in neuroscience and enhance the reputation of Rutgers as a center for Alzheimer’s research in coming years,” said Andrew P. Thomas, senior associate dean, School of Graduate Studies, and professor and chair of pharmacology, physiology and neuroscience at NJMS.

D’Adamio, who came to Rutgers from the Albert Einstein Cancer Center in New York, has published more than 90 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious scientific journals and has received numerous awards, including the 2001 Alzheimer Award from the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and the 2011 Zenith Award from the Alzheimer’s Association.

More than 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease; the number is expected to rise to 14 million by 2050. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
“It is a massive burden on the individuals and families who give care to those with the disease and a huge financial drain on our health care system,” said Thomas. “We believe that Dr. D’Adamio will bring forward innovative new approaches to understand and ultimately treat this devastating disease.”